Case study: Amazon Rainforest Flashcards

1
Q

Location

A

Central S. America
5.5 million km2
1/5 of all carbon in planets biomass

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2
Q

Role of carbon in Amazon

A

Holds 80-120 billion tonnes of carbon
Key to offsetting rising atmospheric CO2
Losing its capability

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3
Q

Role of water in Amazon

A
A closed system loop
The Amazon river
Discharged into Atlantic (15% of all freshwater entering)
2300mm annual rainfall (some 6000mm)
50% of rainfall re-evaporated
30% rainfall reaches the sea
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4
Q

Drivers of change in the Amazon

A

Deforestation - 20,000km2/yr
Slash and Burn techniques
Moisture from deforested areas form cumulous clouds that don’t rain
Conversion from rainforest to pasture - (11% more solar radiation - increases soil temp.)

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5
Q

Climate change

A

By 2050 - 2-3 degrees hotter
Mean increase 0.26 degrees every 10 years
Extreme weather
No significant rainfall change

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6
Q

Soil changes

A

Rainforest has 4-9 kg of carbon in the topsoil
Pasture has about 1 kg
30-60% of carbon lost if rainforest burnt
When deforested - soil exposed = higher runoff`

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7
Q

River changes

A
Reduction in overall discharge
Increased sedimentation downstream
Increased flash flood risk
Freshwater ecosystems could be destroyed
Indigenous populations at risk (Guarani tribe)
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8
Q

Mitigation organisations (3)

A

Latin American Technical Cooperation Network - watershed management

TARAPOTO - forest sust. development

Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation - promote development

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9
Q

Other mitigation techniques

A

Nation park schemes - (Para reserve - 15 million hectares)
Reforestation
Native species

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